LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the Federal Highway Administration will host a public hearing on the proposed Boulder City Bypass Project on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Boulder City High School, 1101 5th St. in Boulder City, Nev. The bypass is an important transportation project for Southern Nevada. In 2011, Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law Senate Bill 506 directing the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to enter into one or more public-private partnerships (P3) to design, construct, develop, finance, operate or maintain the Boulder City Bypass as a toll road.

Boulder City Bypass Phases 1 and 2 are two segments of a future four-lane limited access freeway that will reduce traffic congestion along U.S. 93 and intersecting streets in Boulder City, Nevada. Phase 1 is approximately 3 miles long and will extend from I-515 at Foothills Drive to U.S. 95. . Phase 2 is approximately 12 miles long and will extend from U.S. 95 to the recently completed Nevada Interchange at SR172 (the road to Hoover Dam). NDOT is developing Phase 1. The RTC is developing Phase 2. The Boulder City Bypass may become part of a proposed Interstate 11 freeway between Phoenix and Las Vegas (and, potentially, from Mexico to Canada) currently being studied by NDOT and other stakeholders.

The RTC and its engineering and financial services consultants are working with NDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to hold public information meetings, conduct traffic, toll revenue and financial analyses, develop more detailed engineering plans, perform cost estimates, and establish rights-of-way for Phase 2. After the completion of these studies, RTC will evaluate various P3 arrangements and funding scenarios to determine if the Phase 2 project can be feasibly constructed, operated, and/or maintained as a toll road, and if this method of project delivery provides a good value to the public. As the project moves forward, public input will be a key component in its success.

Wednesday’s public hearing will be conducted in an open-house format. The public will be able to view displays, discuss the project with project representatives and contribute comments. Comments may be submitted for the public record in writing at the hearing or verbally to an on-site court reporter. Written and e-mailed comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. E-mail comments to NDOT's Information e-mail address and reference Boulder City Bypass in the subject line. Mail comments to Tony Lorenzi, Project Manager, NDOT, 1263 S. Stewart St., Carson City, Nev. 89712. Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate physically handicapped persons desiring to attend the meeting. Requests for auxiliary aids or services to assist individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency should be made with as much advance notice as possible to Julie Maxey, NDOT, Public Hearings Officer, at (775) 888-7171 or Julie Maxey's e-mail address.

About NDOT and the RTC

Established in 1917, the Nevada Department of Transportation is responsible for the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of 5,400 miles of highway and more than 1,000 bridges comprising the state highway system. The department is divided into three districts, which supervise all state transportation activities within their local areas. The RTC is the transit authority, transportation planning agency and regional traffic management agency for Southern Nevada. The RTC’s vision is to provide a safe, convenient and effective regional transportation system that enhances mobility and air quality for citizens and visitors. RTC transit service carried 60 million passengers in 2012.